Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Late 19th Century German Ceramic Beer Stein

$4,400
$5,50020% Off
£3,341.02
£4,176.2820% Off
€3,820.71
€4,775.8920% Off
CA$6,147.44
CA$7,684.3020% Off
A$6,837.29
A$8,546.6220% Off
CHF 3,570.22
CHF 4,462.7820% Off
MX$83,202.58
MX$104,003.2320% Off
NOK 45,597.18
NOK 56,996.4820% Off
SEK 42,762.11
SEK 53,452.6420% Off
DKK 28,515.43
DKK 35,644.2920% Off
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Steins with anti-Jewish images were very popular in late 19th century Germany. The constitution of the newly unified Germany, adopted in 1871, emancipated all Jews. The following decades saw a surge in anti-semitism. It was more vicious and openly expressed, and became a popular cause for several political parties. Cream-colored ceramic stein with a curved ceramic handle with a molded leaf design and a conical pewter lid with a pewter thumb lift and pewter mountings with embossed floral designs. The body has one panel with a bas-relief design, painted black in the recessed areas, depicting three Jews taking advantage of a German farmer. Across the top is a banner with German text: “DIESER PFLUG WÄR NICHT SO SCHWER WENN LEVY COHN UND SCHMUL NICHT WÄR” (“This plow would not be so heavy were Levy Cohn and Schmul not here”). A farmer stands behind a plow pulled by two horses. He is frowning and holds his downturned head with one hand and a whip in the other. Three Jews, in hats and long coats, have smug facial expressions and large noses. They sit on and weigh down the plowshare. Each holds a document with German text: “Wechsel / Dokument / Hypothek” (“Bill of exchange / Document / Mortgage”). Germany, circa 1890. While deeply offensive and disturbing, anti-Semitic beer steins from the late 19th century are studied by historians and collectors as artifacts that document the prevalence of anti-Semitism and nationalist sentiments in German society at the time. They are reminders of the harmful effects of prejudice and discrimination.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 7.88 in (20 cm)Width: 5.2 in (13.2 cm)Depth: 3.86 in (9.8 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    19th century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5281240028222

More From This Seller

View All
A German Anti-Semitic Beer Stein, Circa 1890
Located in New York, NY
This beer stein has detailed displays that open the window into the dark history of anti-Semitism that existed in Europe in the 19th century. It was made in a town called Hohr-Grenzh...
Category

Antique 1890s German Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Pewter

A German Anti-Semitic Beer Stein, late 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Late 19th-century ceramic beer stein with designs celebrating well-known antisemitic politicians, amid scenes of caricatured Jews growing rich by abusing, cheating, and stealing from...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Pewter

A German Anti-Semitic Beer Stein, late 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A Rare German anti-Semitic beer stein from the late 19th century is a controversial and historically significant artifact, reflecting the anti-Semitic sentiments prevalent in German ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Pewter

Early 20th Century German Stoneware Beer Stein
Located in New York, NY
Gray glazed stoneware beer stein with a curved ceramic handle with a domed pewter lid with a pewter thumb-lift. Transfer printed in blue is a scene of a soldier, a religious Jew, scales on a table, and a fox. Titled “Trau keinem Fuchs auf gruner Heid, und keinem Jud bei seinem Eid” ("Trust no Fox on his green Meadow and no Jew on his Oath”), Germany, 1920s. The scene shown is of an argument between a soldier and a Jewish judge. The Jew raised his hand showing the soldier he has to take an oath to tell the truth. The hair of the judge turns up like the horns of Satan. The soldier is accusing a fox of killing his hare, and the fox is shown sneaking away, for he is probably responsible for the death of the hare. The judges table...
Category

Early 20th Century German Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Earthenware

Rare Jewish Purim Drinking Mug, Bohemian, Circa, 1905 Judaica
Located in New York, NY
Rare! Purim Drinking Mug, Bohemian, Circa, 1905 The central fish motif is symbolic of Purim, as this holiday occurs during the Hebrew month of Adar, who zodiacal symbol is fish. Fish also designate abundance, fertility, and good luck. At top in Hebrew, it says "With the entrance of Adar rejoicing is increased" Continuing at bottom "Luck of Adar, (luck of) fish, " and finally "L'Chayım Bridis, " a toast half in Yiddish ("To life, brothers!"). Drinking utensils specifically associated with Purim are very rare. While a few pewter wine flagons and silver wine cups for Purim are scattered across Jewish museum collections around the world, this is the only known vessel made for drinking beer that was decorated for this holiday. This stein was likely a unique commission for a beer- loving Bohemian Jew to be used on this festive holiday that encourages mild inebriation Origin: Bohemian region of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (Czech Republic) Circa, 1905 Artist: "SPJ" Literature: Jewish Antiques...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Ceramics

Materials

Pewter

A Silver German Goblet, late 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
This striking late 19th-century German silver goblet exemplifies the era’s exceptional silversmithing, combining elegant form with intricate ornamentation. The piece rests on a beaut...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

You May Also Like

20th Century German Ceramic Beer Stein
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Cream colored ceramic stein with a curved ceramic handle with embossed floral designs. The body has one panel with a bas-relief design, painted black in the ...
Category

20th Century German Pitchers

Materials

Ceramic

Late 19th Century German Beer Stein
Located in Vienna, AT
Front side decorated with multi-figure peasant scenery and titled "The Poacher", polychrome painting on transfer, base with lithophane, pewter gear with relief decoration, 0.5 liters.
Category

Antique 1890s German More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Stoneware

Vintage 20th Century German Beer Stein – Made in Japan - 2Y476
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This vintage 20th-century German beer stein, made in Japan, is a charming addition to any collection. Measuring 5.3 inches (13.5 cm) in height and 3.3 inches (8.5 cm) in diameter, th...
Category

20th Century Antiquities

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage 1980s German Ceramic Beer Stein - Traditional Bavarian Design
Located in Manzano, IT
Vintage 1980s German Ceramic Beer Stein - Traditional Bavarian Design Step into the heart of German tradition with this vintage ceramic beer stein ...
Category

Vintage 1980s German Pitchers

Materials

Aluminum

German Porcelain and Pewter Beer Stein
Located in Queens, NY
German porcelain beer stein with railroad scene and and pewter top with locomotive finial (1881).  
Category

20th Century German Other Pitchers

Materials

Pewter

20th Century French Ceramic Beer Stein Strasbourg with Metal Lid
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Cream colored ceramic stein with a curved ceramic handle with embossed floral designs. The body has one panel with a bas-relief design, painted black in ...
Category

20th Century French Pitchers

Materials

Ceramic